Gods

The temple of Apollo at Delphi, in Phokis, in the center of Greece and, as the Greeks believed, the center of the world, was built by Trophonius, a famous architect in his days. It must have been extraordinarily beautiful, if there is any truth to Euripides' story.

The Athenian handmaidens of Creusa in Euripides' play Ion enjoyed their visit at Delphi, as they claimed:

"Not only in holy Athens, then, are gods' fair-columned temples to be found or homage paid to Aguieus [Apollo, protector of roads]. Also at the shrine of Loxias [Apollo], Leto's son, the temple's twin facades gleam with fair-eyed loveliness. See, look here!" (Ion, 184-190)

The maidens reveled in the beauty of the site. "Friend, look over here!" says one. "But see here!" replied another. And another: "My eyes dart in all directions." Their artistic enjoyment could hardly be separated from their religious fulfillment at the sight of the shrine of their favorite gods Apollo, Artemis and Dionysus. Witnessing their excitement, the curator Ion exclaimed: "Look at everything the law permits" (Ion, 232).